Best net metering states. ) Here in Washington, our 100 kw limit is preventing the development of many mid-sized or large commercial systems. 0. That is how net metering gets its name—it means that at the end of the month the consumer is charged only for net electricity used. “Following several quarters of states launching net metering successor tariffs, a number of states are now initiating their own studies of net metering and alternatives to net metering,” noted Brian Lips, Senior Policy Project Manager at NCCETC. Freeing the Grid analyzes each state’s approach and the likelihood of success in achieving the goals of these policies. DSIRE’s color-coded summary maps are updated quarterly and provide a geographical overview of certain policies that promote renewable energy in U. Policymakers enact net metering policies to encourage consumers to install rooftop solar by increasing the return on investment from solar panels. . For example, compared to utility scale solar, distributed solar is an expensive means of lowering carbon emissions and can discourage other environ-mentally conscious choices. States, with state-by-state policy progress, key resources, and model rules. Find out how net metering works and whether it can save you money. Interested in net metering? We go over what you need to know, how net metering works, how it affects utility bills, and where it is available. Jul 30, 2025 · A few states, such as Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Wisconsin, still offer policies close to traditional, full retail-rate net metering. 1% of Net metering provides a pathway that allows homeowners to offset 100% to 120% of a home's annual electricity usage via solar energy. Learn the pros and cons of net metering and get helpful tips on how to make the most of it. California net metering and solar buyback plans Quick Facts Average CA electric rate: $0. From all the states, like NC, screwing their solar generation customers through disadvantagious net metering rules, rather than sharing excess capacity with the utility, and be cheated, I think those can afford it will get batteries, and only use the grid in emergencies, or go off grid altogether. We cover each state in alphabetical order as part of our ongoing effort to provide our customers and readership w Wisconsin, where regulators addressed third-party ownership issues, considered net metering reforms proposed by utilities, and opened a new proceeding to investigate net metering; Idaho, where the Public Utilities Commission approved a net metering successor tariff for Idaho Power, and PacifiCorp filed an on-site generation study; The majority of actions focused on net metering policies, residential fixed charge increases, and community solar programs. Raleigh, NC – (April 20, 2022) The N. According to the EIA data, these measures have seen average annual increases similar to customer count. States use interconnection and net metering policies to integrate customer-sited, distributed energy resources (DERs) into the electric grid or to encourage greater investment in these resources. Net metering in Virginia. 29 per kWh Net metering availability: Limited to LADWP territory Solar buyback rate: Varies by utility If you’ve been following the solar news in California lately, you know that net metering in most parts of the state is a whole mess. The 2023 grades shown above indicate the quality of a state or territory’s interconnection policies for DERs, based on updated grading criteria reflecting best practices that have emerged in the last Net metering in Texas is different from other states. States that have variable utility net metering policies that differ for investor-owned utilities, municipally owned utilities, cooperatively owned utilities, or alternative retail electric suppliers include Arizona, Florida, Idaho, and Illinois. The ultimate guide to everything Texas homeowners need to know about switching to solar, including REPs, solar buyback plans, and more! Aggregate capacity. Learn how it works in Texas, about the performance-based incentives & feed-in tariffs. Alaska, where lawmakers adopted community energy program rules, and regulators considered increasing the state’s aggregate cap on net metering; Maryland, where regulators began rulemakings for a new community solar program and net metering participation in time-of-use rates. Read to learn more about the difference between net metering and net billing, two important ways to earn money back on your electric bill. If an additional meter or meters are installed, the net energy metering calculation shall yield a result identical to that of a single meter. Net Metering Definition For electric customers who generate their own electricity, net metering allows for the flow of electricity both to and from the customer – typically through a single, bi-directional meter. The recent 50 States of Solar report from NC Clean Energy Technology Center identifies three trends in state policy activities and the top five distributed solar actions in Q1 2025. Request a quote today! California utilities have approved Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3. Five US states will introduce community solar programs in 2023. Under their current policy, net metering is offered to the customers of their four investor-owned utilities. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and Vote Solar have released their new "report card" that grades all 50 US states on their rankings for two important clean energy policies, namely solar net metering and interconnection standards. The report notes the top five distributed solar policy actions of Q2 2024: There are a handful of states that have some form of compensation for distributed generation but it is not explicitly labeled as net metering. Learn which states have net metering policies, which state’s policies are the best, and how this affects solar system installation in states across the US. Feb 1, 2026 · About 40 states have mandatory net metering policies, though terms vary significantly. Dominion Energy Virginia filed its proposed net metering successor program, NEM 2. Jul 21, 2025 · An overview of Net Metering across 50 U. Policy design information is juxtaposed with net metering outcome data to discern general patterns among the two. This limits the total amount of "behind-the-meter" generation on a utility's system eligible for a net metering tariff. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on distributed solar policy, with a focus on net metering, distributed solar valuation, community solar, residential fixed charges, residential demand and Q1 2024 Policy Action on Net Metering, Rate Design, and Solar Ownership The report identifies three trends in solar policy activity taken in Q1 2024: (1) states considering legislation to enable community solar, (2) net metering reform efforts moving to new states, and (3) states clarifying net metering rules for customers on time-of-use rates. This report is intended to help policymakers learn about the best and worst practices in net metering and interconnection policies. The report finds that 41 states plus the District of Columbia took some type of distributed solar policy action during Q1 2023, with the greatest number of actions continuing to address net-metering policies (59), community solar policies (45), and residential fixed charge or minimum bill increases (34). Here's how it works in every state. Your long-term solar savings remain protected Historically, when other states have moved away from 1:1 net metering, replacement programs have credited exported solar energy at significantly lower rates, which reduces overall financial returns and increases payback timelines. Currently, 42 states offer net metering policies state-wide. An overview of Net Metering across 50 U. Net metering policies are one of the best incentives for having solar power – having the potential to save homeowners good money. Net metering continues to be challenged, but flexible financing may offer a competitive edge, says Wood Mackenzie. In a majority of states, however, net metering customers account for less than 1% of total electricity customers. DC does not have a net metering cap. So in DC, you’re receiving the best compensation possible for any excess power your panels generate. State University and receives support from EnergySage. S. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q1 2022 edition of The 50 States of Solar. This blog series goes over setting up net metering in the United States. Net metering is a policy by many states in the United States designed to help the adoption of renewable energy. DSIRE is the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. 10 Levels of net metering participation vary by state, as shown in Figure 2. Revision to net metering is a key trend, as the report finds that about one-third of the states are either offering alternatives to traditional net metering or making significant revisions. States/territories that have mandated net metering for certain utilities Congratulations. Mar 30, 2025 · This guide will explore net metering, its concept, advantages, current trends, state policies, and long-term perspectives, giving you the knowledge you require to make educated choices about solar energy. Learn NMR-405 credits, TOU peak hours, and why solar owners still owe money. Are There Any States That Don’t Allow Net Metering? Yes, Alabama, South Dakota and Tennessee do not offer any compensation programs. Net metering policies have facilitated the expansion of renewable energy through on-site, also known as distributed, generation. 34 states plus Washington, D. How Do DC’s Net Metering Policies Compare To Maryland And Virginia? This state-by-state net metering guide reveals where markets are expanding with favorable compensation structures. Pick a Reputable Solar Installer – A good installer will handle the legwork, from permits to paperwork, and make sure your system meets utility requirements. These maps are available as PowerPoint slides for easy incorporation into presentations and reports. Between 2007 and 2017, the project team released ten report cards that included state grades for both interconnection and net metering policies. The numbers denote the limits to the size of a net metering system in each state (in kilowatts. Solar Decommissioning Policies Updated December 2025 Energy Storage Targets Updated December 2025 Solar Access and Easement Laws Updated The map incorporates the most recent data available from government and utility sources as of August 2015. Clean Energy Technology Center at N. States differ in the way net metering customers are compensated. Net energy metering (NEM) is a system that allows solar panel owners to store their solar energy in an existing electrical grid. It also shows where markets are contracting under hostile utility regulations. Florida is one of the more popular states to have rooftop solar panels installed. , as states launch comprehensive studies on net metering, driven by the latest findings from the Q2 2024 "The 50 States of Solar" report. Fifteen states have firm aggregate caps for net metering, while 12 states have a cap that may be enforced — or expanded — at the discretion of state regulators. Save money and cut water waste with MeterNet’s submetering solutions. A wealth of academic research on net metering, however, suggests that net metering is inefective as an environmental policy and creates serious regressive efects. Explore the emerging trends in solar regulation across the U. Solar Access Rights Many states have virtual net metering (VNEM) policies, which allow you to benefit from net metering even if you don't have solar installed onsite at your home. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N. By: DSIRE Insight Team State policymakers and regulators are continuing to consider major reforms to net metering policies, with states taking different approaches to successor tariff designs and implementation timelines. In many states, less than 0. Net metering explained for NV Energy customers. Virtual net metering is often offered alongside traditional net metering or another type of solar buyback program for rooftop systems. States with the best policies include Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. This paper provides a summary of the design of states’ net metering policies, in terms of policy targets, instruments, and incentives. states. Some states limit how much electricity homeowners can sell to their utility company. The NC Clean Energy Technology Center has tracked these changes for several Net metering policies can vary significantly by country and by state or province: if net metering is available, if and how long banked credits can be retained, and how much the credits are worth (retail/wholesale). Click on the map below to visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), which catalogs various policies for renewable energy nationwide, including net metering. and Puerto Rico have mandatory net metering rules in place. Aug 14, 2025 · Compared to Q3 2023, the last time every state simultaneously held bill sessions, 22 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico took 57 actions related to distributed generation compensation rules. 0, substantially altering the energy savings of going solar. California, for instance, allows utilities to decline applications for net metering tariffs if the total amount of net-metered energy would exceed 5% of the utility's total retail sales from the previous year. Nonresidential customers shall be responsible for paying the reasonable cost of any new, replacement, or modified meter or meters installed or caused to be installed for net-metering purposes. Hawaii has the highest participation rate of any state, with 15% of electricity customers participating in net metering in 2018. “Net Metered Accounts”shall mean one or more electric delivery service accounts owned by a single customer of record on the same campus or complex of sites contiguous to one another and the site where the Eligible Net Metering System is located or a Farm in which the Eligible Net Metering System is located, or the electric delivery service Net metering participation can be measured in other ways, such as total net metering capacity or the amount of electricity delivered to the grid from net metering generators. Know what are the net metering states and regulations vary across states, with each state implementing its own policies, capacities. Net-metering policies, which have been instrumental in the growth of residential solar across the United States, are undergoing dramatic changes nationwide. Here’s our guide to net metering, including how it works, where it’s available, the benefits and drawbacks, and alternative billing programs. Reliable water submetering, billing services, and smart metering support. Apr 16, 2025 · The report identifies three trends in solar policy activity taken in Q1 2025: (1) states considering iterative revisions to net metering policies, (2) states overhauling community solar programs, and (3) states expanding system size limits for non-residential net metered systems. Three states (Alabama, South Dakota, Tennessee) offer no form of net metering or compensation. These policies provide the clearest and most favorable financial return for solar owners. Here are the states that have recently gotten rid of net metering, and the ones we're watching in 2024. These policies—which allow solar customers to receive credit for the electricity they contribute to the grid—are being reduced or eliminated in state after state, often at the urging of Many states still offer full retail-rate net metering, while others may have different credit structures. C. Net metering or net billing policies determine how you get paid for the extra energy your solar panels produce. Another factor to consider is a net metering cap. And many states are starting to move away from net metering as the economics of participating in the grid get increasingly complicated. hjxk, gafi, nxgk7, cl5m47, alc6rw, efef3, 50mqga, 2cpe4, s0xqj, g02bln,